Pages - Menu

Monday, October 5, 2009

Vote yes on Issue 2

Matt A adds these comments: No matter what laws, amendments, or sanctions that are put on livestock to improve the quality that they are being raised, you'll always have that small percentage that does a poor job of raising that animal. It is the person and not the system. If you take 100 farmers, 99 do a fantastic, humane job of caring for the livestock but that one person that neglects their livestock shines a poor light onto the rest of the agriculture base.

This is not our grandfather's agriculture. We raise animals in builings under confinement for their own safety against weather, disease and preditory animals. People of this local community need to understand that agriculture makes up almost half of the total gross dollar flowing economically through this county. The schools, tax base, local businesses, and even local programs benifit from this economic movement. We will not know what we are missing as a community until its gone.

Please consider all the points carefully before deciding the fate of our county and of Ohio. This may not solve all the problems, but issue 2 will help postpone bigger problems from affecting us adversely.

No matter what laws, ammendments, or sanctions that are put on livestock to improve the quality that they are being raised, you'll always have that small percentage that does a poor job of raising that animal. It is the person and not the system. If you take 100 farmers, 99 do a fantastic, humane job of caring for the livestock but that one person that neglects their livestock shines a poor light onto the rest of the agriculture base. This is not our grandfather's agriculture. We raise animals in builings under comfinement for their own safety against weather, disease and preditory animals. People of this local community need to understand that agriculture makes up almost half of the total gross dollar flowing economically through this county. The schools, tax base, local businesses, and even local programs benifit from this economic movement. We will not know what we are missing as a community until its gone. Please consider all the points carefully before deciding the fate of our county and of Ohio. This may not solve all the problems, but issue 2 will help postpone bigger problems from affecting us adversely.

99 out of 100? Tour the local county chicken farms and see if you find the animals in "fantastic, humane" conditions. You'll find birds in rows, defecating on each other, in cages too small to even open their wings. You'll find drugged birds that have such a large breast they cannot stand.

Humane treatment is more than not starving or beating the animal. It's about living conditions.

With the exception of Matt A., I am totally mystified by the above comments from Darke County people. Issue 2, while certainly not perfect, is a necessary innoculation against the well-funded kooks who would assign constitutional rights to animals. Government regulation is the only solution to this impending threat. Quit letting the philosophies of Limbaugh, Beck, etc. rule your thinking and educate yourselves on this crucial issue.

This is fear and manipulation at its worst! Why in the world do we need to amend our Constitution and create even more Government and more Government expense that this state cannot afford? What are the farmers so afraid of that they are spreading assumptions (implied as truths) rather than facts throughout the state? Don't we spend enough money already protecting and feeding them through crop price supports, land banks, set-aside programs, reduced taxes on their very valuable land that they would never sell at their extremely reduced assessments, no taxes on their fuel, etc., etc.? Plus we provide them with highways to move their massive pieces of unlicensed and often uninsured equipment over unsafely. And of course we turn our backs as they pollute our rivers, lakes and streams with their fertilizers and manure. I say NO on Issue 2. If a legitimate problem arises in the future, let's deal with it then rather than try to scare people now into believing that we need to set up yet another wasteful and fully agricultural controlled governmental agency (committee or whatever) in anticipation of problems as yet unreal--and we certainly should not amend our Constitution to do it.

Stupid people will vote no, and be the first to start complaining when the prices of their food starts to skyrocket and the safety of their food becomes questionable. Trust the local farmers and the practices they use folks... if this does not pass we will all be in regret.

It sounds like the animal "rights" activists are the on behind this whole issue. I don't think the bill of rights and it's ideals of the proper treatment should not apply to animals. An animal is not any more "happy" if they live in a feed lot condition or if it lives on the open praries of Wyoming in the wilds. I love my pets but when something serious happens to them I feel it is cruel to provide treatment to them, they are an animal.

Yes, an animal in such a small cage that it cannot move is no happier than one grazing in a feild. Seriously? Extremely confined spaces are cruel and unhealthy.

I am not a wacko environmentalist...I am very conservative and a lifetime Republican. And although I do pay more for free-range chemical free chicken I don't expect all farms to be held to such high standards. But has anyone here been in a large chicken house? The conditions are deplorable and the treatment cruel. If people did the same kinds of things to their dogs or cats they would be criminally charged with animal abuse.

One thing is for sure, the industry will not regulate themselves. Any measure will be considered "impractical" or "too expensive". Voting NO on Issue 2 changes nothing. Voting YES will make it very difficult to enact reasonable treatment standards in the future. Don't get drawn into the panic that we have to act now because it's a LIE from big ag. They want the power because they are afraid of what kind of legislation may come before the voters. The don't trust us to be practical.

Practically has nothing to do with it... if this does not pass the local farmer will not be able to keep their livestock as they please and the "small" livestock producers will go out of business - trust me. Darke Co. and every other rural/farming county in the state will face a real economic crisis.Those who vote no have probably neer set foot on a real working farm.

I can't believe what I am reading from some people. We live in an agricultural community and there is actually people who want to give control of how livestock is produced and raised to people who have never even seen a farm? I think on this one, we better take the lesser of two evils and vote yes on issue 2.

If Issue 2 fails to pass big in Darke County, then it's a sure bet to fail big state-wide! The objectors would appear to fall into two categories: those who oppose CAFOs and big livestock farming, and those who are so brainwashed by right-wing media figures, that they cannot see any merit in government control in spite of it being the only defense against the animal rights people. I hope you hunters out there realize that you are also in the sights of HSUS.

It's time people realize that farmers are professionals at what they do. Your food don't come from Walmart or krogers it comes from a local farm. The food being produced today is some of the safest. People need to know that this outside interest group HSUS there long term goal is to remove livestock out of the state of OHIO & turn you into a vegetarian. I'm not making this up if you go on HSUS web site you will see what I'm talking about. Issue 2 will preserve our food supply & keep it here at a low affordable cost here in the state of OHIO or do you want our food shipped in from another country! I urge everybody to Vote Yes on issue 2 even those people that don't know where there food comes from. Vote yes on issue 2 if you don't you will regret it, starvation hasn't happened yet in this country but it can happen in a matter of days!!! Vote Yes on Issue 2. IF YOU ENJOYED A GOOD MEAL TODAY THAN THANK A FARMER!!

The October 10, 5:02 PM comment is very disturbing. HSUS is not affiliated with the Humane Society, any more than the US Defense Department is devoted only to defense. Don't believe me, check out their website! There is a big difference between animal welfare (Humane Society) and animal rights (HSUS).

Tuxedo shirt for GHS orchestra. Like new! Only worn 2 or 3 times. Would be great for an incoming freshman. $15. Call or text 937-423-0284 and ask for Jamie. Photo 1, Photo 2. (7/14)

For Sale By Owner: One story home with 3 bedroom, 2 full baths located on a large corner lot in a quiet neighborhood on the North end of Greenville. This home offers a split-bedroom, open floorplan, oversized two car attached garage, fenced in back yard, and utility shed. The newer 18X18 family room features a cathedral ceiling, natural gas fireplace, and french doors that lead outside to a deck. Completely remodeled kitchen featuring newer cabinets, countertops, and flooring. Master bath completely remodeled featuring double vanity, custom tiled walk-in shower, and heated tiled floor. Square footage 2114.
Address: 1267 Hillside Drive, Greenville, Ohio. Call Jeff at (937) 459-2638. $169,900 Click here for a photo. (6/18)

Reader Comments About DarkeJournal

Thanks to your wonderful “for sale” and “garage sale” section. I have used both successfully. Keep up the great reporting.

From someone who used the unclassifieds: "Thanks to DJ we rented [out] the house!"

We understand your site really has the best coverage for our county.

Darke Journal is a great website. We kept up with the weather and all the local news on a recent trip. Keep up the GREAT WORK.

Keep up the excellent work with the site. Its refreshing to have such a glowing forum for thought and info in the area!

I'm a huge fan of Darke Journal - thanks for providing this website/email information for the community.

I think we can all agree, this is the best site of its kind for Darke County by far.

Your web site has been a great advertising place for our programs ... we always receive lots of calls. Thanks for all you do.

Must say I think you have done a really great job with the site.

Your web site is such a benefit to the community.

......the journal ROCKS!!!!!

Thanks for all your help. Darke Journal is the number one source for Darke County community news.

I have truly enjoyed keeping up with the Darke County news, but the constant reporting on conservative causes is totally inappropriate.

Darke Journal is sure on top of everything.

I really appreciate you running and bumping the garage sale ad over the last few days. My son and I had a really successful sale, and your site was a big help in making that happen (many people told us that they heard about it through DJ).

I am a huge fan of your website. It brings more useful information than the newspaper does and even though I am attending college and am away from home, I still check out your website about once a day to keep up on local events.

I just love your website. It's better than any newspaper or TV program. Keep up the good work.

I like the DJ because it just gives the facts pure and simple. I also like to read what the readers think. You keep up the good work & you will grow!

I am so glad that I found this site. It is so nice to have such an upbeat & unbiased Darke County news. I look forward to checking it each day. I just found it this month. Plus, I can feel free to voice my concerns on issues. Great web site!

When I turn on my computer in the morning, I check the weather and Darke Journal before anything else. Thank you for the pix & info on this site. It's nice to know what's going on in our great Darke County.

You are doing a great service and this is a great media outlet!

It just gets better and better! Truly, the 'mix' is what makes it so good for all readers.

DJ = nice guy, but should relinquish his website duties.

This is a wonderful site! I am so glad there is a place in this community where people can voice their opinion about issues. In the past for many years this community seems to be run by so called political people with others hiding in the brush waiting to inform their leaders of those who disagree with an issue on hand, just so they can point them out and try to ruin their life. Again I am so glad finally, an average Joe can make an Anonymous posted opinion and not fear that they will be pointed at or looked down for stating how they feel. Thank you D. J.

It’s better than most of the media available in and around Darke County.

The web site has had steadily increasing viewership over the last year or two and, at least in my opinion, has become a major player in getting news and commentary to Darke Countians.